Some call it Malaysia's Abu Ghraib. It is not.

In Abu Ghraib, the victims were alleged prisoners of war. The brutality there had its roots in the hostility of the battlefield.

At the Malaysian police station, the subjects of abuse were four innocent female Chinese nationals, holding valid travel documents issued by governments of both countries.

All sensible minds cannot but be shocked by the images showing a female compatriot of ours being forced to perform "ear-squats" naked by a Malaysian policewoman in uniform.

No excuse can justify brutality of such magnitude.

Neither Kuala Lumpur nor Beijing wants repercussions to spiral out of control and mar ties at the state-to-state level.

The Malaysian prime minister has ordered an independent investigation, as well as a special trip to Beijing by his home affairs minister to explain and apologize.

The Chinese ambassador to Malaysia, while passing on our government's hopes that the case be solved in a "fair and appropriate manner," urged the media not to "blow it out of proportion."

Calling it an "isolated incident," the Chinese ambassador echoed the Malaysian foreign minister's earlier statement that the scandal would not affect relations between the two countries.

We are not worried about a potential diplomatic fallout. The decades-old friendship between our two governments should be strong enough to weather a rather trivial episode like this one.

But rapport between countries is not only about that between governments. It rests in part on good feelings between the peoples.

Governments can open or close doors to tourists from specific countries. But it is up to the tourists themselves to decide where to go when they embark on overseas trips.

Malaysia has been a popular destination for Chinese tourists until very recently. Chinese traveler arrivals reportedly dropped by nearly 48 per cent between January and August from the same period last year.

The abuse scandal guarantees a further dip in Malaysia's popularity among Chinese tourists.

Unless they see tangible and credible changes, why should people risk turning an otherwise enjoyable vacation into an adventure in a land where their dignity and safety are not guaranteed?

The Malaysian authorities have simplified entry procedures for Chinese tourists in order to offset the impact. Chinese nationals are no longer subject to the additional request to produce cash or a credit card when they apply for a visa to Malaysia.

But the drop in Chinese tourist confidence has more to do with safety concerns.

That is the logical starting point of repair work.

However, judging by the remarks by a deputy internal security minister, whose ministry oversees the Malaysian police, we are not confident.

He said police officers were "following regulations" in ordering the women to strip and squat.

We have no idea if Malaysian law endorses such a practice. If it does, our embassy in Malaysia should make it known to our citizens and help them make informed decisions.

We have heard of a string of allegations of harassment of female Chinese citizens by Malaysian police and immigration officials.

There also were reports that Malaysian authorities are profiling Chinese women, especially those aged below 35, as being involved in vice.

Even if some Chinese nationals have broken local laws in Malaysia, it is unacceptable to target suspicion towards all Chinese.

The Malaysian foreign minister said there was no intention on the part of his government to victimize any Chinese national or any foreign visitor to the country.

That should not only be said, but also be felt by all those visiting his country.

(China Daily November 30, 2005)